Bill > S996

This bill aims to reform the hate crime statutes in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Adding a requirement for the state's crime reporting unit to collect and analyze hate crime data from law enforcement agencies as well as voluntarily submitted reports from community groups and civil rights agencies, and to establish standardized procedures for data collection and reporting. 2. Amending the existing hate crime statute to clarify the definitions of key terms like "because of," "bodily injury," and "protected characteristics," and to expand the penalties for hate crimes, including increasing fines and prison sentences. 3. Allowing for the use of community-based restorative justice programs as an alternative or additional sentencing option for certain hate crime offenses, in order to promote accountability, healing, and reconciliation. The bill is designed as an emergency measure to quickly address issues with the current hate crime laws and improve the state's response to and data collection around such incidents.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S996